Synonyms of frugal

frugal 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfrü-gəl 

as in economical

careful in the management of money or resources

by being frugal, the family is able to stretch its monthly budget

Synonyms & Similar Words

• economical
• economizing
• thrifty
• saving
• prudent
• provident
• conserving
• sparing
• preserving
• cheap
• scrimping
• foresighted
• penny-wise
• parsimonious
• miserly
• forehanded
• tightfisted
• penurious
• stingy
• spare
• close
• pinching
• foresightful
• penny-pinching
• mean
• tight
• stinting
• closefisted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• wasteful
• spendthrift
• profligate
• prodigal
• unthrifty
• improvident
• generous
• liberal
• shortsighted
• charitable
• thriftless
• unselfish
• bountiful
• munificent
• squandering
• extravagant
• unsparing
• indulgent
• lavish
• openhanded
• freehanded

frugality

2 of 2

noun

frü-ˈga-lə-tē 

as in economy

careful management of material resources

her lifelong frugality has enabled her to save enough money to go to college next year

Synonyms & Similar Words

• economy
• saving
• thrift
• parsimony
• prudence
• scrimping
• temperance
• skimping
• husbandry
• providence
• penny-pinching
• conservation
• stinginess
• miserliness
• moderation
• belt-tightening
• retrenchment
• restraint
• austerity
• discretion
• forehandedness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• wastefulness
• extravagance
• prodigality
• lavishness
• improvidence
• squandering
• diseconomy

Synonym Chooser

How is the word frugal distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of frugal are economical, sparing, and thrifty. While all these words mean "careful in the use of one's money or resources," frugal implies absence of luxury and simplicity of lifestyle.

ran a frugal household

When might economical be a better fit than frugal?

The synonyms economical and frugal are sometimes interchangeable, but economical stresses prudent management, lack of wastefulness, and use of things to their best advantage.

an economical health-care plan

In what contexts can sparing take the place of frugal?

While in some cases nearly identical to frugal, sparing stresses abstention and restraint.

sparing in the offering of advice

When is thrifty a more appropriate choice than frugal?

The words thrifty and frugal can be used in similar contexts, but thrifty stresses good management and industry.

thrifty use of nonrenewable resources

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of frugal

Adjective

His commitment to frugal innovation and human‑centric design has resulted in solutions that are minimalist, affordable, sustainable, portable, and rugged—often challenging conventional approaches to agricultural technology. — Ashley Moran, IEEE Spectrum, 10 June 2026

Although it’s been made it was made on a frugal budget, none of that diminishes the power and enjoyment of this original and inspired indie from a team that just keeps making one good genre film after another. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 8 June 2026

Noun

That requires discipline, vision, frugality and genuine responsiveness from City Hall. — Paul Suppa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026

On a call with reporters Monday, Wu defended the frugality of her FY27 spending plan amid calls for an audit of city and BPS spending by two city councilors. — Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 6 Apr. 2026

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!